Hello everybody!I now bring you greetings from Jo'burg.The end of my time at PCC came all too fast and the internet café was too far, or not working.Or I had food poisoning.But by the time I left all was well and I had a whirl wind tour of the coast of Ghana.

My last few weeks at PCC only found me forming stronger ties and making it harder to leave.Everyone seems to think that I can come back and visit.I think many of the Europeans do.But I waited a long time to go to Africa the first time.I am on the trip of a lifetime and trying to make the most of it because I don't think I will be back.Although I love it!Who knows?

I still don't know what life is really like for Ghanaians.They tell me life is hard.Of course I can see that they don't have the modern conveniences we have in Canada and health care leaves a lot to be desired.Politics is a popular topic of conversation, much the way we talk of the weather at home. I gather that those in government seek mostly to benefit themselves and don't necessarily do much for the average Ghanaian. Unemployment is high, but education is highly valued and most young Ghanaians seem to have a good basic education. Despite the difficulties they seem so cheerful, it is hard to know what is really going on.It seems to be part of their culture that you never show sadness or difficulty.They are often uncomfortable with emotion.

But I have a lot of friends with whom I now have to stay in touch.And this time e-mail is not going to cut it.Very few of my friends use a computer.They are expensive and so is the trip to the internet café.Which is understandable when you see that they don't have plumbing and must collect water from the communal tap or well every day.So I guess I will be back to good ol' fashioned snail mail.

The coast of Ghana was beautiful.On my first day I headed straight for the beach.Word was that Axim was like your stereotypical deserted island paradise, and it was all true.Except for the beautiful resort and the beachside restaurant!But I almost had the beach to myself and it stretched on forever and was lined with palm trees.I got to feel the ocean on my toes for the first time in over 6 months and it was wonderful!I wouldn't dare go swimming, especially by myself.There are strong currents along Ghana's coast and I would really want to make sure I was well informed about how safe it is to swim.

Only a morning on the beach and then I headed for Nzulezu.This is a stilt village built on a lake on the far west coast.My time here was a definite highlite!I walked the beach at Beyin while I waited for my guide.Then we paddled through the Amansuri wetlands for about 45 minutes before a big lake opened up before us.Couldn't pass up the chance to jump in for a swim while we paddled across.I spent the night in the village.Had a simple room with only a bed.Peeing and washing is done in the lake.Drank raffia palm wine, a little local gin, and ate some rice with stew.Had a great time and then paddled back the next morning.

Then it was on to Cape Coast.Took a while to straighten out some money problems while I was there.But I managed to fit in a trip to the castle before I left.Wow - what a story.One we've all heard, but now I've seen a part of it.Hard to believe that human beings can treat one another so horribly.Don't know how people lived long enough to become slaves in the conditions they were kept.Of course many didn't.

Then it was on to Accra to meet up with a friend and celebrate Independence Day.This is a huge holiday.Ghana became an independent country in 1957 and they are fiercely proud of their country.And well they should be!I got to see the celebration in Independence Square - an impressive sight.And that night I partied with the locals at a concert at the trade fair.Got an upclose view of Somini - a popular Ghanaian musician.

And then it was time to say goodbye to Ghana.I am truly blessed to have had the chance to be there for 6 months.Hate goodbyes.

So yesterday I arrived in Jo'burg.It's a big, fast city. And it's familiar.All the conveniences of home.And it's like summer at home on a comfortable day!So I am enjoying some of my old pleasures.I had a warm shower for the first time in 6 months and it was rather odd.I ate a sandwich, and leafy salad, and yogurt, and chocolate - too much chocolate!I am now trying to arrange a bicycle tour of Soweto.I've been properly warned that it is dangerous to travel on your own in Jo'burg and so there is no wandering around for me.It's too bad, but I'd like to move on alive in 2 days and not get stuck waiting for replacement credit cards and passport!

Hope you are all well and can hold on for the spring that should be just around the corner.It is Autumn here in South Africa.

Love, Debbie